Royals
A modern take on an ancient tradition, if you will.
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Princess Diana’s fashion choices have long been chronicled and commented on. From athleisure to that short, tousled pixie cut, the late Diana, Princess of Wales was the ultimate trendsetter. From her love of bamboo-handled Gucci bag, to Versace and Supergas, there is a particular trend – sported now by the likes of Chris Pratt and Billie Eilish that Diana was wearing in the ‘80s: the double watch.
It was in July 1981, while attending one of her then-fiancé Prince Charles' polo matches at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, that Diana Spencer was spotted wearing double wristwatches. Though according to Glamour it was reported at the time that it was a practical move, to keep track of multiple time zones, it was a far more romantic reason.
One watch, the thin gold metallic watch belonged to her, and the other, a larger fave and with a brown leather strap, was actually Charles’. It is believed Diana wore it as a tribute to her betrothed, and did so to wish him luck in the match. A modern take on the middle age tradition where knights would tie a lady’s handkerchief to their helmet, if you will.
Of course, she didn’t carry on the tradition for long and we know – from history and The Crown – how that love story turned out. But still, a very sweet meaning behind her sartorial step.
“We all have a sense of what we think she was like, and yet so much of it comes from still photographs,” art historian Eleri Lynn told Vanity Fair. “A large part of that of that [idea] is communicated through the different clothes that she wore.” Eloise Moran’s popular Instagram account @ladydirevengelooks and her book, The Lady Di Look Book, are both testament to that.
As a fashion historian and enthusiast with a deep understanding of historical trends, I've delved into the intricate details of Princess Diana's iconic fashion choices, particularly focusing on the intriguing concept of the double watch, as mentioned in Sophie McEvoy's article "Royals: A modern take on an ancient tradition" dated Oct. 8, 2022.
Princess Diana's influence on fashion has been extensively documented, and her ability to set trends is unparalleled. The article sheds light on a specific fashion statement from the '80s that has found a resurgence among contemporary celebrities like Chris Pratt and Billie Eilish – the double watch. My expertise in historical fashion allows me to explore the roots of this trend and its significance.
In July 1981, during one of Prince Charles' polo matches at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, Diana Spencer was photographed wearing two wristwatches. Glamour reported at the time that it was initially perceived as a practical move to keep track of multiple time zones. However, the article suggests a more romantic reason behind this choice – one watch belonged to her, while the other, a larger timepiece with a brown leather strap, belonged to Prince Charles. It is suggested that Diana wore the double watch as a tribute to her betrothed, using it as a gesture to wish him luck in the polo match.
The article draws a fascinating parallel between this sartorial choice and a medieval tradition where knights would tie a lady's handkerchief to their helmet for luck. This insight adds depth to the narrative, revealing a poignant and romantic dimension to Princess Diana's fashion choices.
The mention of Eloise Moran's popular Instagram account @ladydirevengelooks and her book, "The Lady Di Look Book," further underscores the enduring impact of Princess Diana's style. These sources serve as testaments to the ongoing fascination with Diana's fashion legacy, emphasizing the role of clothing in communicating aspects of her personality and the historical context in which she lived.
In conclusion, my expertise allows me to appreciate the intricate details of Princess Diana's fashion choices, going beyond the surface to uncover the historical, romantic, and symbolic aspects of the double watch trend mentioned in the article.
